Bryzgalov Helps Coyotes Blank Blues 2-0

[February 25, 2008]  GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Ilya Bryzgalov stopped 35 shots for his second shutout of the season and fourth of his career, and the Phoenix Coyotes beat the St. Louis Blues 2-0 Sunday night.

Zbynek Michalek and Joel Perrault scored for the Coyotes, who moved within three points of Nashville for the Western Conference's final playoff spot. Phoenix is in 10th place, one point behind the Colorado Avalanche.

The Coyotes' 31 wins are one more than they recorded all of last season.

Manny Legace made 18 saves for the Blues, who have lost three straight overall and eight of nine against Phoenix.

Legace has lost six straight against Phoenix.

Bryzgalov had entered the game 0-2-0 with a 6.91 goals-against average against the Blues, and aided by three power plays had to face 18 shots in the first period. But Bryzgalov only faced 17 over the final two.

Michalek gave Phoenix a 1-0 lead on his first goal since Jan. 24, a blast from between the circles at 4:27 of the second period.

Perrault gave the Coyotes some breathing room with 7:57 remaining. Legace stopped Keith Ballard's shot from the high slot but couldn't control the long rebound. Perrault pounced on the puck in the low slot and bounced a wrist shot off Legace's left leg to make it 2-0.

The Blues' best scoring chance came in the final minute with St. Louis on the power play, Legace on the bench in favor of an extra attacker and Bryzgalov without his stick for more than 20 seconds. But St. Louis managed just one shot on goal.

Notes: Bryzgalov's last shutout was Nov. 17 in his Coyotes debut, a 1-0 victory in Los Angeles. ... Bryzgalov was making his first start of the season against St. Louis. Mikael Tellqvist had started Phoenix's prior two games versus the Blues, both coming before the Coyotes claimed Bryzgalov off waivers. ... St. Louis outshot Phoenix 26-9 in the first and third periods.

[Associated Press; By TRAVIS REED]

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